Solder was one of three finalists for the 2010 Outland Trophy, along with Gabe Carimi and Rodney Hudson.
Drafted by the New England Patriots at pick #17 in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
PERSONAL-Born April 12, 1988 in Denver. His hobbies include kayaking, rafting, fishing, skiing and reading. An older brother (John) played outside linebacker for Stanford until suffering a career-ending neck injury. A fairly accomplished artist (paintings and sculptures), some of his work earned all-state honors in high school. He also has done a fair share of community service, including coaching Pee Wee basketball and speaking to the entire Buena Vista elementary school student body; he has been a student aide and mentor to many of their students. Buena Vista is a small mountain community (population 2,500) and is located at about 8,000 feet above sea level between Leadville and Salida. Following Christmas 2009, he traveled to Guatemala and volunteered at an orphanage; as a sophomore, he went to Italy during the summer to help rebuild a town after it suffered many collapses from an earthquake. At CU, he regularly participates in the "Read with the Buffs" and "Buffalo Hugs" programs. (Last name is pronounced sold-er.)
STRENGTHS
Nate is one of the biggest left tackles that I have ever profiled. I mean seriously...this kid is as big as the Concord. He is also a very athletic left tackle. Nate does a great job protecting the blind side of his QB and plays with the intelligence and pride that will do him well at the next level. He has very quick feet and mirrors his man when pass blocking. He has excellent balance and is strong at keeping his opponent away from his body to limit spin moves and bull rushes being effective against him. Nate has the athletic quickness and foot speed to block for screens and go and block on the second level. He is smart and learns as the game goes on. You can set this kid up once, but not twice, during a game. Nate has improved during the year in all phases of his game, which speaks to his work ethic and ability to take what he learns in practice into the game. He is a disciplined offensive lineman and that is one of the best attributes a left tackle can have to be successful at the next level. Nate reminds me a lot of Joe Thomas (LT Browns).
CONCERNS
Nate struggles a bit when blocking for the run. He needs to get a lot stronger in his upper body. Nate needs to improve his upper body strength as quickly as possible. When he does, he could become one of the best. He has to learn to use his feet more when run blocking as well as finish blocks. For a big kid, he does not dominate his opponent when run blocking. In most games that I have watched, Nate seems to get better and better blocking for the run and is not on the ground as much; however, he still looks like he is thinking too much and not firing out and using all of his athletic abilities. Nate does get better as the game goes on, which is a very good thing.
BOTTOM LINE
When you are looking for a franchise left tackle, don't worry if the kid is a good run blocker. A left tackle must be a good pass blocker first. As long as the player you profile is good enough blocking for the run, is athletic, has a good a work ethic and is coachable, that's all you need to know about his ability to be better blocking for the run in the future. I'm not suggesting to you that Nate will not have a learning curve for the team that drafts him. I am telling you the learning curve in his ability to pass block at the next level without getting your franchise QB killed is very short. Nate has improved dramatically from the first game of the season. He is much more comfortable with his techniques and as far as blocking for the run, I feel he will be one of the better and most complete left tackles in the future. Until then, you can draft Nate and plug him into your lineup right away. Nate makes pass rushers take the long way around to get to his QB and just like the Concord, he can only land at airports that have a big enough landing strips. Nate will make a pass rusher take the long way around and not use a short landing strip to sack his QB. Nate (The Concord) Solder...this kid's got big time written all over him.
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Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski stealing the Micby LisaLane11118,954 views
hes good very impressive im excited but from the looks of the video he seems to strugle keeping his assignment in check forcing the qb to run TB12 is not micheal vick.. but im confident the patriots coaching staff can work with him on that
MatthewAMCV 6 months ago
That a boy Nate!!! Go Buffs!!
skanky87 7 months ago
I hope Terrell Suggs is paying attention to this..
babyface76 10 months ago
welcome nate solder
awang7822 10 months ago
bye bye matt light
awang7822 10 months ago